Mini fan for computer

ABSTRACT

A mini fan for computer is disclosed, which includes a housing, a motor, self-lubricated axle bearings respectively adapted to the center hole of the motor, and a fan blade unit supported in the self-lubricated axle bearings for smooth rotation upon operation of the motor, the self-lubricated axle bearings being made of high molecular heat resisting compound material or high molecular compound material of low coefficient of friction for the advantages of low manufacturing cost and low operation noise level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a mini fan and, moreparticularly, to such a mini fan that is to be used in a computer tocool down a component part of the computer.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] A regular mini fan for computer is generally comprised of ahousing, a motor, ball bearings, and a fan blade unit. Because expensiveball bearings are used to support the fan blade unit, the manufacturingcost of this structure of mini fan is high. Further, ball bearings startto wear quickly with use and, produce much noise during operation.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a mini fan for computerthat eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The main object of the present invention is to provide a mini fanfor computer, which is inexpensive to manufacture. Another object of thepresent invention is to provide a mini fan for computer, which isdurable in use.

[0007] To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, themini fan for computer comprises a housing, a motor, at least oneself-lubricated axle bearing, and a fan blade unit. The self-lubricatedaxle bearing is a hollow cylindrical member respectively adapted to thecenter hole of the motor, having a center axle hole adapted to receivethe axle of the fan blade unit. The self-lubricated axle bearing is madeof high molecular heat resisting compound material or high molecularcompound material of low coefficient of friction for the advantages oflow manufacturing cost and low operation noise level.

[0008] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a mini fan for computer according tothe present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a sectional assembly view of the mini fan for computeraccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] With reference to FIG. 1, a mini fan in accordance with thepresent invention is designed for use in a computer to cool down the CPUof the computer. The mini fan is comprised of a housing 1, a motor 2,two self-lubricated axle bearings 31;32, and a fan blade unit 4. Thehousing 1 comprises a receiving open chamber 10, a motor mount 11 insidethe receiving open chamber 10, and a through hole 111 through the centerof the motor mount 11. The motor 2 fixedly mounted on the motor mount 11inside the receiving open chamber 10, having a center hole 21 coupled tothe through hole 111 of the motor mount 11. The self-lubricated axlebearings 31;32 are hollow cylindrical members each having a peripheralwall 311 or 321 and a center axle hole 312 or 322. The fan blade unit 4comprises a hub 41, a plurality of blades 42 radially arranged aroundthe hub 41, and an axle 411 axially extended from the center of the hub41.

[0012] The assembly process of the present invention is outlinedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 1. The axle 411 of the fan blade unit4 is inserted in proper order from the top side toward the bottom sidethrough the center axle hole 312 of one self-lubricated axle bearing 31,the center hole 21 of the motor 2, the through hole 111 of the motormount 11, and the center axle hole 322 of the other self-lubricated axlebearing 32, enabling the self-lubricated axle bearings 31;32 to berespectively press-fitted into the top and bottom ends of the centerhole 21 of the motor 2. When assembled, the housing 1, the motor 2, theself-lubricated axle bearings 31;32, and the fan blade unit 4 form amini fan for computer.

[0013] According to the present invention, the self-lubricated axlebearings 31;32 are made of Teflon. Alternatively, high molecular heatresisting compound material or high molecular compound material of lowcoefficient of friction may be used for the self-lubricated axlebearings 31;32 for the advantages of low manufacturing cost and lowoperation noise level.

[0014] Although the present invention has been explained in relation toits preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many otherpossible modifications and variations can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mini fan for computer comprising: a housing,said housing comprising a receiving open chamber, a motor mount insidesaid receiving open chamber, and a through hole through the center ofsaid motor mount; a motor fixedly mounted on said motor mount insidesaid receiving open chamber, said motor having a center hole coupled tothe through hole of said motor mount; at least one self-lubricated axlebearing respectively adapted to the center hole of said motor, said atleast one self-lubricated axle bearing each having a peripheral wall anda center axle hole; and a fan blade unit, said fan blade unit comprisinga hub, a plurality of blades radially arranged around said hub, and anaxle axially extended from said center of the hub and inserted throughthe center axle hole of each of said at least one self-lubricated axlebearing, the center hole of said motor and the through hole of saidmotor mount for rotation in the center axle hole of each of said atleast one self-lubricated axle bearing, upon operation of said motor. 2.The mini fan for computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at leastone self-lubricated axle bearing is respectively made of high molecularcompound material of low coefficient of friction.
 3. The mini fan forcomputer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least oneself-lubricated axle bearing is respectively made of high molecularheat-resisting compound material.
 4. The mini fan for computer asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one self-lubricated axlebearing is respectively made of Teflon.